INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — Olivia Smith scored 20 points, including the decisive free throws with nine seconds remaining, to lift the IU Indy Jaguars to a 74-72 victory over the Detroit Mercy Titans in a Horizon League women’s basketball game Sunday at Fairgrounds Coliseum.

In a contest defined by missed opportunities and turnovers, the Jaguars survived a late rally and a chaotic final sequence to improve to 12-15 overall. Detroit Mercy, which led for much of the second half, fell to 5-22.

The most critical stretch of the game unfolded in the final 30 seconds. With the score tied at 70, IU Indy’s Hailey Smith secured a defensive rebound after a missed Detroit layup and immediately found Olivia Smith sprinting ahead on the break. Smith converted the transition layup to put the Jaguars ahead 72-70 with just 16 seconds on the clock.

Detroit called a timeout and advanced the ball. On the ensuing inbounds play, the Titans’ Aaliyah McQueen was fouled on a drive to the basket with 9.1 seconds left. McQueen calmly sank both free throws to knot the score at 72.

IU Indy quickly inbounded to Olivia Smith, who was fouled by Myonna Hooper with 9.0 seconds remaining. Smith, a guard from Fort Wayne, Indiana, stepped to the line and made both free throws to restore a two-point lead for the Jaguars.

Detroit had one final chance. After a timeout, the Titans’ Kailee Davis launched a potential game-winning three-pointer from the top of the key as time expired, but the shot missed off the rim, securing the narrow win for IU Indy.

The frantic finish capped a game where neither team could establish consistent control. Detroit built its largest lead at six points early in the third quarter, but IU Indy chipped away, leveraging a 13-2 advantage in steals to generate 18 points off 19 Titan turnovers. The Jaguars’ own offensive struggles were evident, as they shot just 41.5% from the field and 64.1% from the free throw line, but they managed just enough efficiency down the stretch.

Olivia Smith’s 20-point performance, supplemented by five rebounds and four assists, was a season-high in scoring for the junior and marked a significant uptick from her recent outings. Sydney Bolden added 15 points for the Jaguars, including three three-pointers.

Detroit was led by a double-double from Jasmine Edwards, who finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Addisen Mastriano contributed 13 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Nisea Burrell and Myonna Hooper each added 11 points.

The Titans dominated the glass, outrebounding IU Indy 44-31 and grabbing nine offensive boards, but were undone by their ball security and poor shooting from distance, connecting on only 3 of 15 three-point attempts. Detroit also struggled at the foul line, making 21 of 32 attempts.

IU Indy led 41-34 at halftime after closing the second quarter on a 10-2 run, but Detroit responded with a strong third quarter, outscoring the Jaguars 21-16 to take a 55-57 lead into the final period. The fourth quarter featured five ties and three lead changes, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.

The game was a rematch of a Dec. 7 meeting in Detroit, which the Titans won 74-69. According to Interstat’s ELO system, IU Indy entered as a significant favorite with an 85.8% projected probability to win.

An announced crowd of 523 attended the Sunday afternoon matchup.

IU Indy travels to face Green Bay on Wednesday. Detroit Mercy will host Youngstown State on the same night.